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News - 2011

8th November: the boats are: now 'home', at their winter moorings at Alvecote. the final leg from Sutton's Stop to Alvecote was completed by Barry Adams, Dave Davies and Ian Palmer

4th November: the boats are:tied up at the Long Pound, Stoke Bruerne, where the crew are celebrating Barry Adams' Birthday in the Navigation.
Thursday night they were at Leighton Lock and Wednesday at Northchurch Lock. Barry reported that the Summit level was well down, "with the boats dragging mud all the way."

(left: John Mills steers through Milton Keynes on Friday. Pic: Maggie Young)
1st November: the boats reached Hunton Bridge this evening, with help from Alan Cummins. They delivered up the Slough Arm on Monday, finishing this year's record-breaking, if at times arduous, coal run, eaching the Swan & Bottle at Uxbridge that evening. John Mills joined Barry & Lawrie and Maggie Young is on her way to join the crew.

(Right: outside the Swan & Bottle at Uxbridge on Tuesday morning. (Pic: Maggie Young)
30th October: the boats were at Brentford Locks at 9.30am, after a 5.30am start. Peter Clutterbuck and Linda Taylor left the boats, leaving Barry Adams and Lawrie Atkinson on board. Thet were at Eel Pie Island on Saturday. They came off the River Wey on Friday and tied-up at Walton-on-Thames that night,

27th October: an update on where the boats are: tonight, they were at the top of Unstead Lock, having arrived at Godalming around 4.45pm, - only problem 6' 4" air draft!
Tuesday they moored at Pelican Wharf on the River Wey, Monday they tied up at Windsor.

(left passing through Staines on Tuesday, with pete Cliutterbuck, Mark & Robin Burt. Pic: Keith Norfolk.)

23rd October: the boats are: on the Thames with Pete Clutterbck & Linda, Mark & Robin Burt.
Nuneaton returned to Burghfield around 12 noon on Saturday, having completed all deliveries on the Kennet.
Whilst awaiting new crew to arrive, some minor repairs were carried out including soldering to holes that had developed in two of the raw water cooling pipes.
They set off to return to the Thames Sunday morning at 10.30am crewed by Peter Clutterbuck and Mark & Robin Burt.
Brighton was loaded with another 3.5 tonnes on Friday, while Nuneaton returned from delivering at Kintbury
(Above: Nuneaton, steered by Pete Clutterbuck, returns from River Kennet deliveries, pic: Barry Adams.)

19th October: the boats are at: the Cunning Man, Burghfield. They were at Reading on Monday night and reached Burghfield for deliveries on Tuesday. Brighton will stay there for a top-up coal delivery, while Nuneaton heads up the Kennet & Avon with Barry Adams & Peter Clutterbuck.

 

16th October: the boats tied up at 6.20 at Day's Lock near Dorchester. Earlier this morning the pair were stuck above Folly Bridge! (see Keith Norfolks photo, left)

15th October: 7.45 pm: the boats are moored above Kings Lock on the Thames at last! but......they had to be towed through Dukes Cut, due to a build up of silt along most of it.
7.30pm: Just back from the boats, leaving them above Kidlington Green Lock. Friday we were stuck in the middle of the cut for the night at Gunpowder Wharf, Kidlington; Thursday we were stuck in the middle of the cut for the night above Pigeon Lock, Enslow. Wednesday we tied above Nell Bridge Lock, south of Kings Sutton; Tuesday we made Cropredy, Monday we tied up early at Marston Doles at the top of the


Preparing to leave on Sunday morning at the Cape of Good Hope (photo: Maggie Young.)
Napton flight; Sunday we were at the top of Stockton Locks, after arriving at the Cape of Good Hope on Saturday evening. Crew was Dave Davies, Stephanie Goodacre, Keith Norfolk with new member Owen Lamb until Tuesday lunchtime. Many thanks to Steve Smith, Maggie & Tom Young and Ian Palmer for help on Sunday, John Fevyer & John Bull for help on Wednesday and Trevor Winterbottom for the lift on Saturday.

07th October: 9pm: the boats are moored opposite The Cape of Good Hope pub, Warwick.
A new crew of Dave Davies, Stephanie Goodacre, Owen Lamb and Keith Norfolk take over on Saturday with the aim of getting the boats down to the Thames.
4.15pm, the boats are aground 200 yards from Hatton Top Lock! Will the intrepid crew reach one of our favourite canal-side hostelries - the Cape of Good Hope, tonight? and will Barry Adams be able to buy one of his favourite cheeses? Watch this space!
 The boats are at: Bridge 60, as at 2.10pm. That works out at 1mph!
The boats are at: Bridge 62, as at 1.19pm. More news as I get it.
(Left somewhere near Rowington around 1pm today. photo: Maggie Young.)
06th October: The boats are at: Kingswood Junction, after "a difficult day." Maggie Young joined the boats for the day and took all these photos, giving some idea of the crew's tribulations!
The boats got stuck in virtually every bridge 'ole and spent 2 1/2 hours clearing Bridge 67!

"Inch by Inch..."
the Marie Celeste?
06th October: The boats were at Knowle Locks this morning - Maggie Young, who is helping for the day, posted this photo on Facebook at around 10.30am.
(Lawrie steeers the pair through Knowle Locks - looks like the motor needs trimming!)
05th October: The boats are hopefully on their way! At 11.30am they were clear of bridge 86 (full of rubble) with the help of John & Jenny Jackson and BW with a winch. More news as soon as I hear anything. With the current rate of progress, it's hard to make estimates but I know the GU improves considerably after Catherine De Barnes.
6pm: just heard the boats are at Catherine De Barnes and they hope to be at least at the Cape of Good Hope (bottom of Hatton) tomorrow night.
04th October: The boats are still stuck at Bridge 86, about a mile past Tyseley having travelled just three miles from Camp Hill. The butty is stuck in the bridge, BW have been down and will return tomorrow to help unload and barrow some of the coal past the next bridge, which they reckon will also be a problem. More news as soon as we get it.
04th October: 3pm: the boats have been stuck at Bridge 86 for 3 hours and are awaiting BW!
03rd October: the boats are at: the top of Camp Hill tonight.
03rd October: the boats are:at 9.30am this morning, somewhere in the Farmers Bridge/Digbeth/Camp Hill area, having taken 4 days to reach Gas St by last night!
There has only been a crew of three - Barry Adams, John Stevens and John Moorse but Lawrie Atkinson is due to join, but Jon Moorse is leaving, so they definitly would welcome any help they can get, from lock-wheeling or more. Please help even if you can only spare an hour or two, Contact Barry on 077 453 700 37.
01st October: the boats are: somewhere on the BCN Mainline, before Birmingham, after what Barry Adams described as "a terrible days boating." With 44 tons on and low water levels, they are struggling.
30th September: the boats are at: the top of the 21, tonight, with he crew safely esconed in the Great Western. John & Jenny Jackson helped them up the 21.
30th September: spare a though for out intrepid voyagers today, one of the hottest days of the year, as they are ascending the Wolverhampton 21!
29th September: the boats left John Jackson's coal yard with 42 tons loaded today, mooring at Compton after 6 1/2 hours hard going.
27th September: the boats are at John Jackson's ready for loading 38-ish tons tomorrow. they moored opposite the Stourbridge Town Arm last night.

26th September: a very enjoyable weekend at the BCLM, with Dave Davies & Teri Wyncoll being joined by two new members, Barry Adams, Steve Smith & Jenny Jackson, honary life members and ex-working boaters Alice Lapworth, John Blunn & Mavis Waldren. John fitted a Swan's Neck to the 'ellum, completing our impressive decoration. (see photo: Right)
Tim Lewis has taken more fantastic photos of the event on Saturday: CLICK
19th September: the boats are moored at the Black Country Living Museum, ready for this weekend's Historic Boat Gathering. The Tipton Festival was a well organised,laid-back, friendly affair (thanks Wayne & Della!) with plenty of interst in the boats.

12th September: the boats are at: Tipton, waiting for this weekend's Tipton Festival. Last weekend they were at the Black Country Boat Festival at Windmill End. They were taken from Shackerstone by Dave Davies, new members Maggie Young & son Matt, Graham Roberts on Sunday & Monday and John Mills Tuesday to Thursday.
(left: Andrew Denny AKA Granny Buttons' marvellous 3am Sunday morning photo at Windmill End.)
28th August: the boats are at:Shackerstone, ready for next weekend's Festival.
27th August: the boats are at: the Limekiln Pub, on the A5, Ashby Canal. "A good run with lots of boats moving." Last night was spent below Hillmorton Locks.

25th August: just had the link for NBT member Mike Askin's marvellous impressionistic video of the Summer Coal Run from Burton to Brentford.

Double click on bottom right hand corner for hi-res options. Thanks Mike! (See Right:)

 m
24th August: the boats are at: the bottom of Cropready Lock, at 9pm after a hard working day.

23rd August: Just back from the boats - they dropped me off at Thrupp, 3pm, and continued to just above Dashwood Lock, where they moored for the night.
After Brentford, we (Dave Davies & Roy Oakhill) moored below Moseley Lock on the Friday night, Walton on Saturday (with Peter Clutterbuck),
Shepperton on Sunday, where Nuneaton stayed above Thames Lock & Brighton at Shepperton. Monday night was spent at the moorings of Humber Keel, Daybreak - what lovely people & a superb boat; tea, beer and showers! Tuesday's mooring was at Marlow Island with more lovely people; Wednesday at The Flowerpot, Aston Ferry, Thursday at Burghfield, on the Kennet, for a pint with chairman, Keith Norfolk, Friday North of Woolhampton to wind; and back to Burghfield on Saturday. Sunday we got to Beale Park, while Monday we moored above Iffley Lock.

9th August: the boats made Cowroast on Sunday night and Rickmansworth on Monday.

(Left: Ray Oakhill and John Stevens with the 'ellum off again! Looks like the Hanwell Flight to me. If this is the case, I would have thought they will be at Brentford tonight.

Mike Askin explains: "the 'ellum came off this time after getting stuck in the bottom gates as they didn't open far enough we were flushing the boats back in the lock, but as the water dropped again the 'ellum found something on the cill."he '

(Photo: Mike Askin)

7th August: the boats are: aiming for Berkhampstead tonight, with the 'ellum coming off again at Slapton this afternoon. They stopped at Stoke Bruerne on Friday night, loading 60 packs of eco logs andreached Soulbury Three Locks last night

(right: the boats enter Slapton Lock this afternoon. Photo: Mike Askin)

4th August: the boats are at: Braunston, having stopped overnight at Hawkesbury on Wednesday. Steve Morgan left at Atherstone, after which the crew had problems with a bladeful and the 'ellum coming off in Nuneaton (notorious for rubbish in it's canal).

(left: the pair ascend Atherstone Locks on a beautiful summer's day. photo: Steve Morgan)
2nd August: the boats are at: Polesworth, having left Burton on Sunday night, on the first leg of the Summer Coal Run down to Brentford, crewed by John Stevens, Ray Oakhill, Steve Morgan & Mike Askin. They moored at Fradley on Monday night, As you might expect the crew encountered queues & delays at locks, with the volume of traffic leaving the National.

1st August: the boats left Alvecote late Tuesday afternoon, crewed by Dave Davies, Teri Wyncoll, John Mills and Graham Roberts, arriving at the National Waterways Festival site at Shobnall Fields, Burton-on-Trent on Thursday evening. The pair got a mention in the Awards Ceremony for the best working boat - surely a first!
(Right: Teri poses with her wildflower arrangement, "representing the journey from Alvecote", photo thanks to Marie Sumpter.)

21st July: the boats were loaded with 20 tons of coal (making 30 tons with the 10 transhipped from Buckden at Braunston) from John Jackson's Roach and David Jones' Starling at Alvecote yesterday (Wednesday) by Dave Davies, Ian Palmer, Steve Morgan and with help from Simon from Monarch & Grimsby.
15th July: the 2011 Photo Gallery is pretty much up-to-date - check it out HERE
13th July: the boats will be at Alvecote until Monday 25th July and some members, including Teri Wyncoll & Dave Davies, will be spending some days pottering with the boats in preperation for this year's National Waterways Festival at Burton-on-Trent. If you are a new member (or an old member!) why not join us - a good opportunity to get to know the boats, meet other members and contribute to the NBT. Accomodation on the boats can be arranged, meals could be communal and the Samual Barlow does excellent food and beer!. Just get in touch and let us know when you can come.

(above the pair resplendent, Sunday 10th July. Pic thanks to Tim Lewis.)

12th July: an excellent weekend at the first Alvecote Historic Boat Gathering. The boats had many visitors, NBT members were the judges of the best decorated boat (not historic) in the marina. Sam Noon fitted new rockets on the cratches of both boats and her butty, Verbena, (ex-Vienna) won best Historic Boat. Members attending: Ray Oakhill, Teri Wyncoll, Dave Davies, Steve Smith & Jenny Jackson, Mike Askin (with Victoria), Ian Palmer & family and life member, Alice Lapworth.

3rd July: the boats are at:Alvecote, for this weekend's Historic Boat Gathering. They were brought from Braunston over the weekend by Trevor Winterbottom and Peter Clutterbuck, with assistance at the Atherstone flight from new member Ian Palmer. The only real problem was the all-too familiar kerfuffle at the dreaded Bridge 13!
(Right: boats a-gathering for this weekend's Alvecote shindig. photo: Trevor Winterbottom)
28th June: a good weekend at the Braunston Historic Boast Gathering, where well over the 100 historic boats target was met. Ten tons of coal were transhipped from John Yates' Buckden by Ray Oakhill, Trevor Winterbottom and Dave Davies in the rain on friday evening,while members attending on Saturday

and Sunday included: Ray Oakhill, Glynis Henville, Stephanie Goodacre, Vickie Morgan and her Mum & Dad, John Bull, John Feyer, Barry Adams, Steve Smith & Jenny Jackson, Dave Davies & Teri Wyncoll.

(Left: Parade chaos on the Saturday! Many thanks to Tim Lewis for the excellent photograph.)
22nd June: the boats are at: Braunston, for this week's Historic Boast Gathering, having been moved from Stoke Bruerne on the Summer Solstice by Barry Adams, David Blagrove, Vickie Morgan and Ray Oakhill, the journey taking 8 hours. A very windy journey, with intermittent showers and sunshine.
(Right: David Blagrove steers the pair into Blisworth Tunnel, Tuesday 21st June. Pic: Barry Adams)
13th June: a good weekend at The Friends of the Canal Museum Gathering at Stoke Bruerne. Sunday was a bit of a washout but saturday was fine, with Nuneaton & Brighton going down the Locks giving a thumblining & holding back exhibition,. Attending were Dave Davies, Teri Wyncoll, Ray Oakhill, Alan & Mouse Cummins, Steve Smith & Jenny Jackson.
(Left: thumblining demo, Saturday 11th June. pic: Keith Norfolk)
8th June: the boats are at: Stoke Bruerne, for this weekend's gathering.

7th June: the boats are at: Norton Junction, having negotiated both Foxton and Watford staircases.

(Right: Lawrie Atkinson steers Nuneaton up the Foxton flight this morning. Pic thanks to Malcolm Randell. He emailed: "Hello, I spent a interesting time this morning at Foxton Locks with the boats from the Trust.
The one at the rudder here was very
interesting to talk to but I am afraid

I did not get his name, but if you could thank him please. All the rest of the guys to were very friendly so a big thank to you all really on a interesting time spent at the locks."
7th June: more photos up in the 2011 Gallery HERE including Trevor Winterbottom's daughter, Niki's lovely shots from Alvecote to Braunston.

Above: Cowroast, Sunday 29th May.
(pic: Roger Rowe)		 6th June: Just back from the Ricky to Leicester trip and The Riverside Festival - the boats are at:Foxton, having left the Leicester Riverside Festival yeaterday evening and mooring just outside the city above Kings Lock, Aylestone. Crew is John Stevens, Barry Adams and Ray Oakhill, joined tonight by Lawrie Atkinson.
Photos of the trips from Alvecote to Braunston & to Ricky and back up to Leicester will be on the site imminently.

22nd May: the boats are at: the Rickmansworth Festival, having arrived as expected on Thursday lunchtime.

You can see that Trevor & Co have fitted the 'ellum band & spidersweb fender and decorative lines are in evidence. Don't they look smart!

(right: the boats at the Rickmansworth Festival, Saturday 21st May. Thanks to Pete Schofield for the use of the photo)
17th May: as I write, the boats are on The Summit of the GU and expected to arrive at Cowroast at 12.30pm. They moored at the bottom of Marsworth last night (Anglers Rest, I suspect!) and will be doing shorter days, intending to arrive at Rickmansworth Thursday afternoon, "so we can spend time washing, polishing and fettling. All but one broken shut fixed in Brighton en route, hold tidy and sorted hand rail for steps."

15th May: the boats are at: Fenny Stratford, on the way to the Ricky festival with Trevor Winterbottom, Mouse, Janet Buckley and Ray Oakhill. They were at Stoke Bruerne last night, possibly visiting The Boat Inn!

(Left:Every boat should have one! Mouse, who apparantly "loves polishing stuff". Or maybe that Brasso is for when the whisky runs out...(pic: Trevor Winterbottom)
10th May: the boats are at Braunston, having been moved by Trevor & Nickie Winterbottom and Dave Davies at the weekend to avoid the stoppage at Anstey. Plenty of help was forthcomong at the Atherstone Flight, with assistance from Steve Smith, Teri Wyncoll, Steve Morgan, John & Jenny Jackson and Vickie Morgan's Mum & Dad, who were moored at the bottom of the locks and on their way to Llangollen.
The boats leave for the Rickmansworth Festival this weekend.
John Jackson has uploaded a video from last year's Autumn Coal Run to YouTube (see Right).

May 2nd: NBT Maintenence Co-ordinator Trevor Winterbottom, reports:
The maintenance for Spring 2011 is over as far as the main work is concerned, inasmuch as we've run out of time. We didn't get everything done but the boats are now both sound and looking good. Having the chines welded was a particularly good call - Steve Priest showed me where a number of rivets were all but worn off and just waiting for a relatively
light knock to fall out - in fact a gentle tap with a ball pein hammer loosened one completely!The welded areas runs from the back end, where the hull replating starts, right back to the skeg along both sides. Steve suggested we should get at least five years without problems. The cabin bilge is much less contaminated than it was so we can pump the bilge without risking a court appearance!
The paintwork has been restored to pretty much as it was at the beginning of
last season, with the addition of diamonds on the cratches and cabin tops, roses on the cratches and under the back name panels on Brighton, and two very fine castles on Brighton's cabin sides. We also repaired and repainted the stands. We have not repainted all - some panels have been touched up. A good clean and polish will be needed to bring those panels up to spec. Some paintwork remains incomplete as I write - notable the rear

cants on Brighton and the decks around Nuneaton's cabin and counter, but we hope to have those done over the next couple of weeks.

The boats leave Alvecote at the weekend, heading for Braunston to avoid the stoppage at Ansty and to enable the boats to reach our first event of the year, the Rickmansworth Festival.

(left: Brighton's new decorative 'ellum ropework)

May 1st: More work done over Friday & Saturday, with only Trevor Winterbottom, Barry Adams,Dave Davies, Teri Wyncoll and Paul Myerson turning out to miss the Royal thing and take the boats to Alvecote, where painting & sorting recommenced. Sam Noone (of butty Vienna) came and made a Turk's Head & rocket decorative lines for Brighton's 'ellum.

(Right: Sam's decorative ropework)

25th April: the boats are out of Dry Dock and look fantastic!
Jobs still to do include: the bow decks, cabin tops and counter deck need a couple of coats of floor paint, the holds need clearing and cleaning, running gear needs stowing properly, cabins sorting with ranges blacked, lace and plates put back up and numerous other jobs.
This all needs doing this weekend!
NBT members can now escape Fridays firago and get the boats ready to move before May 9th to avoid the stoppage at Ansty and get to the Rickmansworth Festival. Contact: Trevor Winterbottom HERE.

(left: The Adam's Chimbleys Mark 3. Barry's been busy rolling & rivetting smart new chimneys for the pair. Pic: Barry Adams)

April 20th: just back from 11 days Sworking on the boats - a couple at Alvecote and the rest at Grendon Dry Dock.
NBT Members Role of Honour to: Trevor Winterbottom, Steve Radford (fantastic Roses & Castles!), Dave Davies, Teri Wyncoll, Ray Oakhill, Steve Smith, Barry Adams, John Mills, Bob Duncalfe, Stephanie Goodacre, Mouse, who made a new floor plate for the engine room. Steve Priest from Brinklow Boats spent 3 days sorting out the dodgy chines under Nuneaton's cabin - there were loose rivets and 2 leaks!

(Steve Radford's beautiful roses. Pic: Trevor Winterbottom)

February 25th: Well, the websites up & running again - apologies for my tardiness but i've been putting The Steerer together, which should be winging it's way to your door in the next week or so. It will be available to non-members at events. This year's Events, Trips & Coal Runs have been finalised, you can see them HERE. Captains & crews needed, so please get in touch ASAP with Barry Adams

Maintenance has started in earnest, with workparties happening most weekends at our Alvecote moorings from now on. Please come & help, whatever your skills (or lack of....) it's a good social occasion and the Samuel Barlow pub is adjacent, with fine ales and excellent meals at reasonable prices. Please contact Trevor Winterbottom HERE.


The boats at Alvecote last July. Trevor Winterbottom in horse scaring shorts!


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